South Africa in need of courageous leadership conversations

The Institute of Directors South Africa (IoDSA) will hold its 6th Annual Business Update on October 6, 2011 at the Sandton Convention Centre.

This year's theme, Courageous Leadership Conversations will touch on surrounding controversial topics such as ethics and leadership in South Africa and the relationship between government and business.

According to the IoDSA CEO, Ansie Ramalho, this year's theme is relevant in view of the various challenges facing the country's leaders. "Amongst these are globalisation together with the systemic risks that it poses and the ever more demanding regulatory environment. The question is how to deal with these challenges with courageous leadership and the Annual Business Update seeks to offer some insights into this."

These pressing issues will be addressed by some of South Africa's top thinkers before audience members are given a chance to ask questions and engage with speakers.

According to Ramalho, "the IoDSA Annual Business Update is a very successful and well-attended interactive platform to raise and discuss relevant business issues.

Dr. Azar Jammine, Director and Chief Economist at Econometrix will talk on the topic South Africa in the world and the role of business. In this discussion Dr. Jammine will address globalisation and the evolution thereof, the need to develop small businesses and encourage entrepreneurship as well as South Africa's correlation with the rest of the world and exactly what this means.

Dr. Jammine - who is well qualified to talk on this topic -- has held the position of Director and Chief Economist at Econometrix since 1985. He holds a B.Sc Honours in Mathematical Statistics and B.A Honours in Economics (Cum Laude) from the University of the Witwatersrand, a M.Sc Economics from the London School of Economics, a PhD Economics from the London Business School as well as a PhD Economics from the London Business School.

William Gumede, author of the influential biography Thabo Mbeki and the Battle for the Soul of the ANC, will lead the discussion on the relationship between government and business. During this session Gumede will ask the pressing questions, should business get involved in politics? And how does government and business share responsibility for growing the economy?

Cynthia Schoeman, MD of Ethics Monitoring and Management Services and developer of the web-based survey, The Ethics Monitor will address ethics and leadership in South Africa. A pressing topic in the South African context, considering that even Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe admitted that it was important to revert back to the fundamentals -- since the lines between corporate governance and ethical leadership had become blurred. He was speaking at the Regenesys graduation ceremony in Johannesburg in 2010.

Heinrich Wagner, a self-described adventurer and motivational speaker from Visiontree will challenge the audience asking I'm blind, what is your excuse? Wagner has been blind since birth and has overcome several challenges. He is of the view that it is better to be blind and have vision, than be able to see and have none. He hopes to inspire those who will be attending.

IoDSA President Dr. Reuel Khoza will offer the opening remarks before opening the floor for the one-day-long Business Update.

"South Africa is at a crossroads, economically and politically, and we have put the agenda for this Business Update together with the most pressing issues in mind," says Ramalho. "This is a tremendously exciting time to be a business leader in South Africa, and we need these leaders like never before. They, in turn, will seldom have the opportunity to make such an impact. If you're a business leader, this is one conference not to be missed."

Issued by Siyenza Management.
Posted on Bizcommunity.com
6 Oct 2011

According to the IoDSA CEO, Ansie Ramalho, this year's theme is relevant in view of the various challenges facing the country's leaders. "Amongst these are globalisation together with the systemic risks that it poses and the ever more demanding regulatory environment. The question is how to deal with these challenges with courageous leadership and the Annual Business Update seeks to offer some insights into this."

These pressing issues will be addressed by some of South Africa's top thinkers before audience members are given a chance to ask questions and engage with speakers.

According to Ramalho, "the IoDSA Annual Business Update is a very successful and well-attended interactive platform to raise and discuss relevant business issues.

Dr. Azar Jammine, Director and Chief Economist at Econometrix will talk on the topic South Africa in the world and the role of business. In this discussion Dr. Jammine will address globalisation and the evolution thereof, the need to develop small businesses and encourage entrepreneurship as well as South Africa's correlation with the rest of the world and exactly what this means.

Dr. Jammine - who is well qualified to talk on this topic -- has held the position of Director and Chief Economist at Econometrix since 1985. He holds a B.Sc Honours in Mathematical Statistics and B.A Honours in Economics (Cum Laude) from the University of the Witwatersrand, a M.Sc Economics from the London School of Economics, a PhD Economics from the London Business School as well as a PhD Economics from the London Business School.

William Gumede, author of the influential biography Thabo Mbeki and the Battle for the Soul of the ANC, will lead the discussion on the relationship between government and business. During this session Gumede will ask the pressing questions, should business get involved in politics? And how does government and business share responsibility for growing the economy?

Cynthia Schoeman, MD of Ethics Monitoring and Management Services and developer of the web-based survey, The Ethics Monitor will address ethics and leadership in South Africa. A pressing topic in the South African context, considering that even Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe admitted that it was important to revert back to the fundamentals -- since the lines between corporate governance and ethical leadership had become blurred. He was speaking at the Regenesys graduation ceremony in Johannesburg in 2010.

Heinrich Wagner, a self-described adventurer and motivational speaker from Visiontree will challenge the audience asking I'm blind, what is your excuse? Wagner has been blind since birth and has overcome several challenges. He is of the view that it is better to be blind and have vision, than be able to see and have none. He hopes to inspire those who will be attending.

IoDSA President Dr. Reuel Khoza will offer the opening remarks before opening the floor for the one-day-long Business Update.

"South Africa is at a crossroads, economically and politically, and we have put the agenda for this Business Update together with the most pressing issues in mind," says Ramalho. "This is a tremendously exciting time to be a business leader in South Africa, and we need these leaders like never before. They, in turn, will seldom have the opportunity to make such an impact. If you're a business leader, this is one conference not to be missed."